The Chronicle is Launched

Abstract

The introduction of the stamp tax by Parliament did not have the desired effect of permanently reducing the sales of the newspapers, as trade was increasing and with it the size and power of the commercial classes. Despite this punitive measure, by 1750 the combined circulations had trebled.1 One immediate effect, however, was a decline in the sales of daily newspapers and those of an essay-type nature. The death of The Spectator had marked the end of an era, as few people were now prepared to purchase this style of publication: the future belonged to the thrice-weeklies, such as The Post-Man (which were intended mainly for country distribution) and, above all, the weekly newspapers.